Fans give touchdown ball back to Robert Meachem

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; When Saints receiver Robert Meachem scored the first touchdown of his second stint in New Orleans on Sunday, he did what he often did during his first stint in New Orleans: He flipped the ball into the stands and let ...

When Saints receiver Robert Meachem scored the first touchdown of his second stint in New Orleans on Sunday, he did what he often did during his first stint in New Orleans: He flipped the ball into the stands and let a fan have it as a souvenir.

But once Meachem stopped to think about the journey that took him back to New Orleans after a tough season in San Diego last year, it dawned on him that there was a lot of sentimental value to that ball.

“I was kind of mad at myself,” Meachem told the Baton Rouge Advocate. “That ball meant a lot to me, but some fan got it.”

Meachem may have been mad at himself, but this story has a happy ending: The group of fans who took home that ball heard about Meachem’s comments and contacted the Saints to offer Meachem the ball back. The Saints confirmed today that the fans came to the facility, where Meachem gave them all autographed footballs, and they gave Meachem the touchdown ball back.

That seems like a fair trade. But perhaps Meachem can score a touchdown on Monday night and give that ball to the same fan.

Tossing the ball was a reflex; God, being the Saints fan we all know he is, made sure that Sr. Bertrand got the ball, heard the story, and was inspired to return it. The gentleman who gave her the ball in the first place, is also a "Saint!" The signed ball she received could be raffled off if she desired to do so and would probably raise a little money for her convent or whatever her favorite charity is. I think everyone won in this situation!

It may not have been elegantly stated, but the sentiment is that he's glad to be in New Orleans. I hope he's glad enough to keep making the effort to have an opportunity to throw more balls into the stands!